Name: Public mistrust in Media: How inequalities drive mistrust of health information
Start: 2026-04-18T15:00:00-0700
End: 2026-04-18T16:00:00-0700

Public mistrust in Media: How inequalities drive mistrust of health information

Saturday April 18, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

W308

Abstract: Inequalities in healthcare contribute to media distrust by crushing public faith in both health institutions and news reporting. This lack of trust is driven by historical abuses, ongoing discriminatory treatment, and imbalanced media coverage that often ignores and/or misrepresents the experiences of marginalized communities.
Moderator: Chalise Macklin, University of Memphis
Panelists: Dorothy Bland, University of North Texas
Brian Bentley, Clark Atlanta University
Vanessa Botelho, CUNY Newmark
Sharon Baldinelli, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Moderators

Chalise Macklin

University of Memphis

Speakers

Dorothy Bland

Professor, University of North Texas

Dorothy M. Bland, Ph.D., is a journalism professor at the University of North Texas Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism. In 2019, she was honored as one of the top 35 women in higher education by Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine. During her tenure as a journalism dean, student enrollment, faculty and staff grew. Under her leadership, the Mayborn launched a master’s degree in digital communication analytics plus earned AEJMC’s Equity and Diversity Award. She worked 25 years in the news industry... Read More →

Brian Bentley

Associate Dean Arts & Sciences/Assistant Professor Mass Media Arts, Clark Atlanta University

Dr. Brian Bentley has dedicated 24-plus years to higher education, earning educational accolades with a doctorate while working to complete a second doctorate. In addition, he has earned three master’s degrees: an MA in Mass Communications, an MFA in Creating Writing, and an MBA... Read More →